Machine for introducing networks into containers



1955 w'. o. SIMPSON ET AL 2,722,356

MACHINE FOR INTRODUCING NETWORKS INTO CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 16, 1954 FIG 7 ph u FIG 4 lNVENRDRS W0. S/MPS ON J. H. THOMPSON Nov. 1, 1955 W. O. SIMPSON ET AL MACHINE FOR INTRODUCING NETWORKS INTO CONTAINERS Filed July 16, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/G 6 ma g 4 /09 //0 I08 #5 p 7 I) 32532 lNVEN70RS W 0. S/MPSON J. H. THOMPSON WWW ATIURNEV 1955 w. o. SIMPSON ET AL 2,722,356

MACHINE FOR INTRODUCING NETWORKS INTO CONTAINERS Filed July 16, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 j FIG /7 5 2Q 1 6 I FIG /9 [/75 FIG 20 55 63 INVENTORS FIG /6 77 W0. SIMPSON 65 92 a A /92 J- h. THOMPSON I WM A T TORNEV United States Patent OfiEice 2,722,356 P e ted N r-, 2.5.

works particularly electrical units on dielectric supports in containers partially filled with potting compound.

The networks to be introduced into containers fre-.

quently have large units disposed near one end of the cover or support and smaller units near the center and at the opposite end thereof. The potting compound is a heavy, slow flowing material, and if unbalanced networks of the type described are held with the support in a horizontal plane parallel with the open end of the container and lowered in this relative position into the compound, the larger or bulkier unit of the network in pushing its way into the compound would force the mass toward the opposite end of the container and cause it to overflow.

The object of the invention is an apparatus which is simple in structure and highly efficient in introducing networks into containers of potting compounds.

With this and other objects in view, the invention comprises an apparatus adapted to support a container tilted at an angle to cause the potting compound therein to be deeper at one end than at the other, and means to move the network tilted so that the supporting cover is parallel with the open top of the container and the larger part of the network is near the deeper end of the potting compound to prevent overflowing of the compound while the network is introduced into the container.

More specifically, the apparatus includes a continuously rotating support having radially positioned units to receive the networks singly tilted at a given angle with respect to the axis of the support. A container feeding arm is reciprocated between a loading station where the container receives a measured quantity of potting compound to a position adjacent the rotatable support, in timed relation with the support so that radially positioned tables of the support maybe disposed successively in positions to receive the containers. The tables in the area of the receiving station have their surfaces lying in a horizontal plane, but after leaving this station and after the containers are accurately positioned on their respective tables, the tables are tilted at angles corresponding to the angles of the units supporting the networks so that the units may be actuated to gradually lower the networks into the containers and to seal them in place.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational viewof the apparatus; a

Fig. 2 illustrates the relative positions of a network and a container prior to assembly;

Fig. 3 illustrates the relative positions of a network and a container during assembly;

Fig. 4 illustrates the completion of the assembly;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 illustrates the container feeding arm gripping a container;

Fig. 8' is a fragmentary detailed view of the container feeding arm ejecting a container;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detailed view of one of the gripping fingers in gripping position;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detailed gripping fingers in its released position;

view of one of the I Fig. 11 is a fragmentary top plan view of a cam-like member controlling the active end of the cam feeding arm;

Figs. 12 and 13 are other views of this cam and the association of a pin of the mechanism of Figs. 6, 7 and 8 at the controls;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 1414 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of one of the network supporting units, portions thereof being shown in section;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the lower portion of one of these units;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of one of the tables shown in its horizontal position;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view of the shown in its tilted position;

Fig. 19 is a flattened view of the upper cam, and

Fig. 20 is a flattened view of the lower cam.

Referring now to the drawings, attention is first directed to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, which illustrate a network 25 which is to be introduced into a container 26, partially filled with a potting compound 27. In the present embodiment of the invention, the network 25 includes a cover 28 which is a support for the articles or electrical units .29, 30 and 31. The article 29 is bulky and of a size to substantially fill a greater portion of one end of the container 26. If this type of network is to be supported with the cover 28 in the horizontal position and the container resting in a horizontal plane, the bulky article 29, while being introduced into the container, would push its way into the potting compound causing the heavy consistency of the compound to move to the opposite end of the container and overflow. At this point, attention is directed toa single tab 32 on one side of the container and the pair of tabs 33 on' the opposite side thereof.

With the problem in mind, attention is now directed to the apparatus, considering first Figs. 1 and 5-. The apparatus includes a main frame 35 including a container loading and feeding unit indicated generally at 36 and an introducing and sealing unit indicated generally at 37. The power means for these units originate with a motor 38 driving a speed reducing unit 39 through a belt and pulley connection 49. The output shaft 41 of the unit 39 is connected to a vertical shaft 42 through a chain 43 extending around sprockets on the shafts 41 and 42. A

table lower support 45, as well as an upper support 46, are

fixedly mounted at spaced positions on the shaft 4-2 and rotatable therewith. The lower support has radially positioned apertures 47 therein to receive tables 48 which are rectangular in general contour and are shown more in detail in Figs. 17 and 18. The tables are identical in structure and a description of those shown in Figs. 17 and 18 will apply to all of the tables. It will be noted that in Fig. 17, the table 48 is mounted in a horizontal plane with the support 45. One end of the table 48 has a yoke 49 fixed to the undersurface thereof to rest and rock on a spindle 50, the ends of which are supported by parallel members 51, (only one of which is shown) fixed .to the support 45. The leading end of the table has a bifurcated element 52 mounted on the unclersurface thereof to r'otatably support a roller 53 disposed to ride on the upper surface of a lower cam 54 (shown in Fig. 20). The table 48 will not swing downwardly or counterclockwise beyond its horizontal position but may be tilted clockwise about its supporting axis 50 when the roller 53 rides upon a high portion 55 of the cam 54. The L-shaped locating mem bers 56 mounted on the upper surface of the tables serve to position the containers before receiving the networks 25.

The upper support 46 comprises radially extended arms with rectangular ends or heads 61 fastened to their outer ends, which are provided with vertical or longitudinal central apertures 62 and outer apertures 63. The units embodied in and made a part of these rectangular heads 61 are identical in structure and illustrated more clearly in Figs. and 16. Therefore, a description of the structure shown in these figures will apply to all of the units. It will be noted that the head 61 of the unit indicated generally at in Fig. 15 is tilted at an angle comparable to the angle of thetable shown in Fig. 18.

The central aperture 62 of the head 61 of the unit 65 has a rod 66 disposed concentrically therein and surrounded by a helical spring 67. An element 68 made hollow at 69 to receive the upper end of the rod 66 is adjustably connected to the rod through a threaded element 70 and held against rotation by a pin 71 carried by the rod and having its ends disposed in the elongate apertures 72 of the element 68. The upper end of the element 68 is bifurcated to rotatably support a roller 73 positioned to engage the under or controlling surface 74 of an upper cam 75 shown in Fig. 19. The lower end of the rod 66 is fixed to a sealing element 77 as at 78, the element having two members 79 at one side thereof and a single sealing member 80 at the opposite side thereof to engage the tabs 33 and 32 respectively of the container and to force them into the closed cover engaging position as shown in Fig. 4. The curved contours of the lower ends 81 and 82 of these sealing members are adapted to perform this result. Spaced pins 83 fixed to the sealing element 77 and movable in their apertures 63 serve to guide the element in its movement relative to the head 61.

A releasable clamp 84 is supported by a smaller rod 85 disposed in an aperture 86 of the rod 66, normally urged downwardly by a spring 87 and held against rotation by a pin 88 in an elongate aperture 89, this structure also limiting the lower position of the releasable clamp 84. The clamp 84 has a stop plate 90 fixed to one side thereof to serve in accurately locating the networks 25 singly in the clamp. Pivotally supported diametrically opposed latch-like elements 91 are normally urged, into the latching positions shown, by springs 92 (Fig. 16) their lower ends having outwardly tapered surfaces 94 for engagement with the open end of a container 26 to cause the latches to release the network just prior to the final location thereof in the container.

The unit 36 has the general formation of a shelf with a guide rail disposed adjacent a path or support 101, composed of a suitable phenol fiber to reduce heat transfer from the heated containers after they have been filled with the heated potting compound. In the present illustration, any suitable dispensing means such as the unit 102 disposed above the loading station may be operated intermittently to deposit measured quantities of the heated potting compound into the containers 26.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the containers 26 are fed in the direction of an arrow 103 by a mechanism which is not a part of this invention. At the end of their forward movement in the direction of the arrow 103, they arrive at a station beneath the dispenser 102 where they receive their measured quantity of potting compound. The unit 36 includes an arm 104 shown at the starting or loading position. The forward portion 105 of the arm 104 (Fig. 8) has its sides cut away to produce cam-like surfaces 106 while the extreme forward end is adapted to engage the successive containers 26. A movable element or slide 108, supported by the upper portion of the arm 104 beneath a shorter cover plate 109, is normally urged forwardly by one or more springs 110 (Fig. 6), and has parallel projections 111. Gripping fingers 112, are pivotally supported at 113, positioned below the projections 111 and have their inner ends provided with pins 114 connected to the opposite ends of a spring 115. The spring 115 normally urges projections 116 of the fingers 112 into gripping engagement with a container 26 and permit movement of the fingers out of engagement with the container when the pins 114 move against the cam surfaces 106.

The arm 104 (as shown in Fig. 6) has a bearing member 118 fixed thereto so that the arm may be mounted on the end of a spindle 119 and secured against displacement by screw 120. The spindle 119, in the present instance, is fixed to the arm and is mounted for rotation in an aperture of a slide 121 and normally urged clockwise (Fig. 5) by a helical spring 122. The slide 121 is supported for reciprocable movement on a horizontal member 124 mounted in the frame 35. The mechanism for reciprocating the slide 121 to move the arm 104 from the loading station beneath the dispenser 102 to a position over the support 45 and particularly over the next approaching table 48, includes a rocking lever 125 pivotally supported at 126 and operatively connected at 128 to the slide 121. A fluid operated or air cylinder 129, supported by the frame 35, has a piston rod 130 operatively connected at 131 to the lever 125. The unit 129 is a commercial air cylinder, provided with suitable control means indicated generally at 132 to cause operation of the unit in timed relation with the power means for the spindle or vertical shaft 42. The unit is provided also with a particular commercially known hydro-check or fluid control means to give slow start and stop movements and fast intermediate movements to the arm 104.

The guide rail 100 (shown in Fig. 5) is supported by a shelf 135, one end of the guide rail terminating adjacent the path 103 of containers 26 moving into the loading station, while the other end of the guide rail 100 is curved at 136 to conform to the curvature 137 of the insert 101 on which the containers travel. The slide 121, supporting the arm 104, moves in a straight line through an aperture or slot 138 in the shelf 135, while a guide roller 139 carried by the arm 104 moves in a groove 140 of the shelf. It will be noted that the right end of the groove 140 extends diagonally at 141 toward the opening 138 to cause turning of the arm 104 to turn from the solid line position (shown in Fig. 5) to the dotted line position, to thereby move the container travelling with the arm through an arc and into the path of the next successive table 48.

A pin 143 (Fig. 6) carried by the element 108 of the arm 104 and extending through an elongate aperture 144 of the adjacent portion of the arm is under the control of a cam 145 pivotally mounted at 146 on the shelf 135 and normally urged counterclockwise (Figs. 11, 12 and 13) by a spring 147 having its ends connected to pins 148 and 149. The pins 148 and 149 are secured respectively to the cam 145 and the shelf 135. The pin 148 extends through an elongate aperture 150 in the shelf to control the positions of the earn 145. Fig. 11 illustrates the pin 143 travelling with the arm from the loading station at the left (Fig. 5) toward the unloading or dotted line position where the pin travels along one side of the cam, forcing the cam clockwise about its pivot until the arm moves far enough to cause the pin to pass beyond the end of the cam, freeing the cam to move to the position shown in Fig. 12. After leaving the cam 145, the pin 143 travels undisturbed until the arm is swung into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, and during this movement, the pin engages an element 152 mounted on the shelf to cause actuation of the element 108 from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 8, to move the fingers 112 free of the container and away therefrom to locate the container in the path of and on the approaching table 48.

During return movement of the arm 104, the pin 143 will eventually engage the undersurface of the cam 145 (as shown in Fig. 13) and accomplish a similar actuation of the element 108 to move the fingers 112 and the adjacent portions 111 of the element so that the arm may move into alignment with the next container at the load ing station. As the arm reaches the end of its movement to the left and is aligned with the next container at the wading station, the pin 143 moves beyond the left end of the. earn 145 (as shown in'Fig. 12) allowing spring 110 to function to snap the element 108 forwardly and to, bring the fingers 112 into gripping engagement with the container at this position.

Considering now the operation of the apparatus, it will be apparent that containers 26 may be fed in the direction of the arrow 103 by any conventional means to provide a continuous supply of containers moved intermittently as required beneath the dispenser 102 where they are partially filled with the heated potting compound 27 and wait their turn to be moved to its respective table 48 on the dial or support 45. The apparatus is continuous in its operation in that the power means for the spindle or shaft 42 is continuous to rotate the tables 48 and their respective' units 65 at a desired continuous speed. It is not believed necessary to show in detail the definite linkage 132 between the spindle driving means and the arm driving means, it being understood that these operations include a continuous rotating drive for the tables 48 and timed and definitely linked reciprocating operations for the arm 104. Their functions are so interconnected that as each table 48 approaches the receiving station the arm 104 will have completed delivering a container to that station.

All that is required of the operator is the feeding of the networks 25 to the units 65 by positioning them between the latches 91 at a station indicated generally at 170. The spidle 42 moves the tables 48 clockwise together with the units 65 thus moving the newly loaded network beyond a cam-like element 171 (Fig. 5) which serves to push the network relative to the latches 91 of each unit 65 until it rests against the stop or locating element 90 (Fig. 15). Similar means 171 and 172, mounted adjacent the exit end of the guide rail 100, function to assure accurate location of each container on its respective table to bring about accurate alignment with its respective network when the table is tilted as shown in Fig. 18. The element 171 is a spring-actuated cam-like lever pivoted at one end and adapted to engage the leading end of each container to push it or to attempt to retard its movement until it is seated in the corner of the L-shaped locating element 56. The element 172 has a tapered surface 173 to be engaged by the approaching containers and to thereby cooperate with the element 178 in moving the containers into the proper position on each table adjacent locating surfaces of the L-shaped members 56. An ejecting arm 174 of the contour shown in Fig. 5 is mounted at a position where it will extend over the path of the tables 48 to engage the completed or sealed containers and eject them from the tables under the assistance of a guide 175.

It will now be apparent that, during the continuous operation of the apparatus, the empty containers are fed in the path 103 to the loading station beneath the dispenser 102 they will receive their measured supply of heated potting compound. In the present embodiment of the invention suitable guides are provided for the containers moving in the path 103 and a locating element 177 (Fig. 6) constitutes the loading station beneath the dispenser 102. During the reciprocal movement of the feeding arm 104, the partially filled containers will be moved over the insert 101 adjacent the guide-rail 100 and thereby fed to the successive tables 48. After each container is fed to its respective table and its location thereon assured by the elements 171 and 172, the table with its container, during the continuous movement in a circular path, reaches the high portion 55 of the cam 54 where 'it is tilted at a given angle to position the open end of the container parallel with the support 28 of the network held by the unit 65. The cams 54 and 75 are arranged so that after the tables are tilted into their proper angular positions and the potting compound allowed to seek its level at an angle with respect to the open end of its container, the associated units 65 will engage the. high portion 74 of the cam 75. By viewingFig. 19, it will be noted that the high portion 74 has a gradualdecline givingv a gradual was downward movement of the network 25 into the potting compound of its container until it reaches its final position and the latches 91 have been moved free thereof by engaging the container 26. The high portion 74 then changes for a short interval to bring about sealing of the tabs 32 and 33 of the container about the support 28 of the network. It will be noted that during movement of the network with the latches 91 toward the container (Fig. 2) the latches 91 with their tapered lower ends will engage the open end of the container and be forced free of the network after the network has moved a given distance into the container. The action which takes place during the final part of the high portion 74 of the cam 75 is the engagement of the members 79 and 80 of the sealing element 77, particularly their lower surfaces 81 and 92 with the tabs 32 and 33 of the container to force them inwardly over the top of the support 28 and thereby seal the network in the container.

The rod 66 is connected directly to the sealing element 77 which is under the direct control of the high portion 74 of the cam 75. However, the spring 87 causes the clamp 84 to lead during action of each unit 65 until the network is introduced into the container and the support is stopped by the container. At this time the spring '87 will be compressed during continued actuation of the unit 65 while its roller 73 rides on the highest portion of the cam 75 and the members 79 and 80 cause bending of the tabs of the container inwardly to seal the network in the container.

After the sealing operation has been completed, the successive tables reach the low portions of the cam 54 so that they may again assume their horizontal positions for the ejection of the completed articles from the apparatus and to again receive a container when it reaches the receiving station. The units 65 are also moved upwardly through the function of their springs 67 when the rollers 73 thereof pass the high portion 74 of the cam 75 so that they may receive a network 25 for their next cycle of operation.

It is to be understood that the above described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for introducing a network, having portions, one considerably larger than the other, mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, into an open top container of potting compound, the apparatus comprising means to support the container tilted at an angle to cause the potting compound to be deeper at one end of the container than at the other, and means to move the network, tilted so that the supporting cover is parallel with the open top and the larger part is near the deeper end of the potting compound, into the container.

2. An apparatus for introducing a network, having portions, one considerably larger than'the other, mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, into an open top container of potting compound, the apparatus comprising means to support the container tilted at an angle to cause the potting compound to be deeper at one end of the container than at the other, a unit to support the network tilted so that the supporting cover is parallel with the open top of the container and the larger part is near the deeper end of the potting compound, and means to move the unit to move the network into the container.

3. An apparatus for introducing a network, having portions, one considerably larger than the other, mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, into an open top container of potting compound, the apparatus comprising means to support the container tilted at an angle to cause the potting compound to be deeper at one end of the container than at the other, means to move the network, tilted so that the supporting cover is parallel with the open top and the larger part is near the deeper end of the potting compound, into the container, and means to seal the network in the container.

4. An apparatus for introducing a network, having portions, one considerably larger than the other, mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, into an open top container of potting compound, the apparatus comprising means to support the container tilted at an angle to cause the potting compound to be deeper at one end of the container than at the other, a unit to support the network tilted so that the supporting cover is parallel with the open top of the container and the larger part is near the deeper end of the potting compound, means to move the unit to move the network into the container, and means carried by the unit to seal the network in the container.

5. An apparatus for introducing like networks, each having portions one larger than the other mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, successively into open top containers, the apparatus comprising a rotatable spindle, a series of tables radially positioned about the spindle and driven in a circular path thereby, means to supply the containers successively with a potting compound, means operable in timed relation with the spindle to transfer the containers from the supply means to the successive tables, units to removably support networks rotatable with the spindle and actuable to lower the networks into the containers, and means to tilt the tables to cause the potting compound to be deeper adjacent the larger portion.

6. In an apparatus for introducing like networks, each having one portion larger than another mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, successively into open top containers, a rotatable spindle, a series of tables radially positioned about the spindle and driven in a circular path thereby, means disposed at a supply station to partially fill the containers successively with heated potting compound, an arm reciprocable between the supply station and the path of the tables, a gripping element adapted to straddle the containers singly movably supported by the arm and normally urged into gripping position, and means to actuate the gripping element into a releasing position.

7. In an apparatus for introducing like networks, each having one portion larger than another mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, successively into open top containers, a rotatable spindle, a series of tables radially positioned about the spindle and driven in a circular path thereby, means disposed at a supply station to partially fill the containers successively with heated potting compound, an arm reciprocable between the sup ply station and the path of the tables, a gripping element adapted to straddle the containers singly movably supported by the arm and normally urged into gripping position, and means to move the element out of gripping position during movement of the arm toward the supply station and to free the element to grip a container when the arm reaches the supply station.

8. In an apparatus for introducing like networks, each having one portion larger than another mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, successively into open top containers, a rotatable spindle, a series of tables radially positioned about the spindle and driven in a circular path thereby, means disposed at supply station to partially fill the containers successively with heated potting compound, an arm reciprocable between the supply station and the path of the tables, a gripping element adapted to straddle the containers singly movably supported by the arm and normally urged into gripping position, and means to move the element relative to the arm to free a container gripped thereby in the path of the tables.

9. In an apparatus for introducing like networks, each having one portion larger than another mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, successively into open top containers, a rotatable spindle, a series of tables radially positioned about the spindle and driven in a circular path thereby, means disposed at a supply station to partially fill the containers successively with heated potting compound, an arm reeiprocable between the supply station and the path of the tables, means carried by the arm actuable to grip successive containers at the supply station and release them in the path of the tables to thereby feed the partially filled containers successively to the tables, and means to rock the arm as it approaches the path to orient a container moved thereby into a predetermined position in the path.

10. In an apparatus for introducing like networks, each having one portion larger than another mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, successively into open top containers, a rotatable spindle, a series of tables radially positioned about the spindle and driven in a circular path thereby, means to supply the containers successively with a potting compound, actuable units disposed above the tables and supported for rotation with the spindle, gripping means carried by the units to receive and removably support the networks singly, members carried by the units to locate the networks in the receiving means in alignment with their containers on the tables, and means to actuate the units to move the networks at a given speed with the containers.

11. In an apparatus for introducing like networks, each having one portion larger than another mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, successively into open top containers, a rotatable spindle, a series of tables radially positioned about the spindle and driven in a circular path thereby, means to supply the containers successively with a potting compound, actuable units disposed above the tables and supported for rotation with the spindle, gripping means carried by the units to receive and removably support the networks singly, members carried by the units to locate the networks in the receiving means in alignment with their containers on the tables, means to actuate the units to move the networks at a given speed with the containers, and means adapted to move the networks into engagement with the locating members.

12. In an apparatus for introducing like networks, each having one portion larger than another mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, successively into open top containers having integral sealing tabs, a rotatable spindle, a series of table radially positioned about the spindle and driven in a circular path thereby, means to feed containers successively to the tables, and actuable units disposed above the tables, supported for rotation with the spindle and having elements to removably grip networks and members to bend the tabs to seal the networks in the containers.

13. In an apparatus for introducing like networks, each having one portion larger than another mounted near opposite ends of a supporting cover, successively into open top containers having integral sealing tabs, a rotatable spindle, a series of tables radially positioned about the spindle and driven in a circular path thereby, means to feed containers successively to the tables, actuable units disposed above the tables, supported for rotation with the spindle and having elements to removably grip networks and members to bend the tabs to seal the networks in the containers, and means to actuate the units to cause the gripping elements to move the networks into their respective containers and to subsequently cause the members to engage the tabs and bend them over the supporting covers of the networks.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 925,300 Coleman June 15,1909

FOREIGN PATENTS 375,898 Great Britain July 7, 1932 

